Not a likely place for an oil shooting

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Belgium is one of the least likely places for an oil company executive to be gunned down. Energy groups operate in far more dangerous places around the world: wherever there are reserves of oil and gas, the industry follows, even if the risk of violence, kidnapping or murder is high.

To try to protect their employees, companies set up a de facto mini-state within the country where they operate. They provide their own armed security at oil installations rather than relying on the host countries.

Employees not working on site will usually live within a fortified company compound. At Shell’s